Westwood Girls Among Dedham Cheer Team Invited to Nationals

The Dedham Dynamos, a U14 cheer team which is part of Dedham’s Pee Wee Football program, placed second at the New England Regional Cheer Competition in Manchester, NH on November 17, 2018. This achievement gives them eligibility to go to the American Youth Cheer National Competition (“Nationals”) in Kissimmee, FL. Among other fundraising efforts, A GoFundMe has been set up.

“Over the years, we have accepted children from neighboring towns for various reason, an age could not form a team or simply programs closing or merging with other towns. Three years ago, we were contacted by a Westwood family about joining our cheer program as the Westwood program merged with another town and they eventually discontinued the cheer program. We took these girls with open arms and they have been, blended in like they had cheered with Dedham since 2nd grade. Although the Westwood Girls, Kat[herine] Schroder, Nicola Midiri (both 8th graders) and Allisa Freiberger (6th Grader) wear maroon at every game and competition, but their hearts are green and have represent Westwood well and we could not be prouder to call them Dynamos,” comments Head Coach MaryJeanne ‘MJ’ Slavin (Note-Westwood no longer has a PeeWee cheer or football program).

“For years I’ve been saying that if a Dedham team is going to make it to Nationals, it’s going to be these girls,” Head Coach Slavin told The Dedham Times. “More than half this team has been together since they were in second grade, cheering consistently. Their dynamic is phenomenal. This opportunity for them is amazing.”

The three girls from Westwood are Kat Schroder and Nicola Midiri, both eighth graders at Thurston Middle School (TMS), and Allisa Freiberger, a sixth grader at TMS. Both Schroder and Midiri hope to cheer for Westwood High School next year. Schroder, who has cheered for the past six years, also enjoys playing the piano, singing, and drama. Midiri, who has cheered for the past seven years, also does dance and volleyball in addition to cheer. Freiberger has cheered since first grade.

“Other than the financial difference between a cheer youth/town program and a private cheer gym, the major difference would be sideline cheering at the games every week. In addition to all the hours these girls commit to practicing their half time and competition routines. During the season you will find these girls cheering on their football teams every weekend. They all enjoy cheering on the football players, supporting them and encouraging them during their games. But ultimately there is no real difference. Whether you are a youth, high school, college or all-star cheer program, for a cheerleader it is all about the two minutes and thirty second on the mat and the hopes that your team will one day make it to Florida to compete at the national level and represent your town, school or gym. For a cheerleader the dreams are all the same, to advance to the National Championship Competition,” says Coach Slavin.

“DPFWA is an organization made up of strictly volunteers. No-one in this organization has a paid position from the board members to the coaches. As a cheer coordinator, board member and head coach, it is a great feeling to be part of such a dedicated and supportive organization that is truly designed for these children. The support we have received from our community and past Dynamos has been amazing. These 22 young ladies have made history, being the first team in the history of the DPWFA youth cheer program to advance to nationals. They have laid the groundwork for all future cheerleaders and coaches. This has note only been there dream of every cheerleader that has come thru the program including this team, it has also been the dream and passion of Assistant Coach Jessyca Villante to get them there. Jessyca who also came thru this program and found her love of cheer on these same fields in Dedham and has also been with these girls the past seven years as a student demonstrator and assistant coach. Jessyca and these young ladies have cheered together for many years building the bond that is strong today. As their head coach over the past 7 years I have watched them grow and develop into a dynamic team. I have been saying for years, if a team can make it, it will be them. Their dedication, determination and commitment to themselves and their team has made them stronger as a team over the years. We laid the foundation for them, taught them what the needed to achieve their dreams. These girls are the ones who created this journey, they are the ones who get out on that mat at each competition and perform their hearts out and earned their spot at Nationals. The hardest part of this journey is getting to Nationals, hundreds of hours of practice, competing and placing at Local, State and Regional Competitions to qualify for Nationals. Fundraising to make sure every person on the team can attend. Regardless of where they place or what happens at nationals, these girls will proudly represent Dedham/Westwood, the DPWFA, and the DCTV League in Florida on December 8th and 9th 2018,” Coach Slavin emphasizes.

The fundraising goal is $40,000. In addition to the GoFundMe, “Send Dedham Dynamos to Nationals,” the team is seeking sponsorships from businesses (which start at $500). Also, the cheerleaders have been fundraising at local Dunkin Donuts, Shaws, Stop and Shop, and Tedeschi’s. A fundraiser was held on Thanksgiving Eve with aid from Friends of Dedham Football, American Legion in Dedham and the Tom Levesque Bank. The cheerleaders will be selling ornaments at the Dedham Square Circle's Annual Dedham Square Holiday Stroll on November 30. Donations may also be made by check, payable to Dedham Pee Wee Football Association, Inc. to Dedham Pee Wee Football Association, Inc., PO Box 4100, Dedham, MA 02027. If sending a check, please indicate ‘Nationals’ in the memo line of your payment. Dedham Pee Wee Football Association, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization. All sponsorships and donations are fully tax-deductible (EIN# 22-2480314).


Best wishes to Kat, Nicola, Allisa, and all the Dynamos in Kisimmee next month!

Photo credit: GoFundMe